License conversion guide

The steps, documents and exempt countries for converting a foreign license to a Japanese one.

The exemption list, required documents and fees change over time and are handled slightly differently by each prefecture. Always confirm with your local license center before applying.

Since October 2025 you need a Japanese residence record (juminhyo) to convert a license. Short-term visitors such as tourists are no longer eligible.

Is your country exempt from the tests?

Exempt（28）
Iceland ・ Ireland ・ United Kingdom ・ Italy ・ Australia ・ Austria ・ Netherlands ・ Canada ・ South Korea ・ Greece ・ Switzerland ・ Sweden ・ Spain ・ Slovenia ・ Czechia ・ Denmark ・ Germany ・ New Zealand ・ Norway ・ Hungary ・ Finland ・ France ・ Belgium ・ Poland ・ Portugal ・ Monaco ・ Luxembourg ・ Taiwan

Depends on the state
United States (only some states are exempt)

Tests required
Vietnam ・ Nepal ・ China ・ Philippines ・ Indonesia ・ Thailand ・ Myanmar ・ Cambodia ・ Bangladesh ・ Sri Lanka ・ India ・ Pakistan ・ Mongolia ・ Russia ・ Brazil ・ Peru

The most common reason applications fail: you cannot prove you stayed in the issuing country for 3+ months AFTER getting the license. Check this first.

How the process works

  1. Gather the documents and go to your license center (some require a booking)
  2. Document check (validity of the foreign license, and 3+ months of residence after you got it)
  3. Aptitude test (eyesight, color recognition)
  4. Knowledge check (50 written questions, 45 correct to pass)
  5. Practical check (driving on the test course)

What to bring

Rules unique to Japan

Basics

  • True — In Japan, vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
    Japan drives on the left. This is the single biggest adjustment for drivers from right-hand-traffic countries.
  • False — Pedestrians also keep to the left, the same as vehicles.
    On roads with no pavement, pedestrians keep to the RIGHT, facing oncoming traffic.

Pedestrians

  • True — When a pedestrian is about to cross at an unsignalled pedestrian crossing, the driver must stop.
    Pedestrians have priority. The duty to stop applies even when they are only about to cross.
  • False — At an unsignalled pedestrian crossing, vehicles have priority over pedestrians.
    The opposite. Pedestrians always have priority at a crossing.

Traffic signals

  • False — You may turn left on a red light if it is safe to do so.
    No. Japan has no equivalent of "right on red". You may only go on a green arrow.
  • False — A yellow light means "hurry through".
    Yellow means stop, in principle. You may continue only if you cannot stop safely.
  • True — When a green arrow points right, you may proceed in that direction.
    You may only go where the arrow points. A right arrow also allows a U-turn.

Road signs

  • True — The Japanese stop sign is a red upside-down triangle with white lettering.
    It is an inverted triangle, not an octagon.
  • True — At a stop sign you must bring the wheels to a complete standstill.
    Slowing down is not enough. Stop fully, then check and go.
  • False — Numbers on Japanese speed signs are in miles per hour.
    They are kilometers per hour (km/h).

Speed limits

  • True — On an ordinary road with no sign, the maximum speed for a car is 60 km/h.
    60 km/h on ordinary roads; 100 km/h on expressways (120 in some sections).
  • False — If the traffic is moving fast, you may exceed the speed limit.
    You may never exceed the posted limit, whatever others are doing.

Railway crossings

  • True — You must stop just before every railway crossing and check it is safe.
    Unless a traffic light there is green. Many countries have no such rule.
  • False — If the barrier at a railway crossing is up, you may drive through without stopping.
    Even with the barrier up you must stop and check, as a rule.

Intersections

  • False — At an unsignalled crossroads of equal-width roads, the vehicle from the right has priority.
    The vehicle from the LEFT has priority in Japan.
  • True — A vehicle turning right must not obstruct oncoming vehicles going straight ahead.
    Road Traffic Act Article 37: a vehicle turning right must not obstruct vehicles going straight or turning left. While oncoming traffic is coming straight through, wait until it has passed before turning.
  • True — At an unsignalled junction, slow down when entering a wide road from a narrow one.
    Traffic on the wider road has priority.

Drink driving

  • True — If you have drunk any alcohol at all, you must not drive.
    Japan enforces this very strictly and the penalties are severe.
  • True — Someone who lends a car to a person who has been drinking, or serves them alcohol, is also punished.
    The car provider, the alcohol provider and passengers are all liable.

Safety equipment

  • True — Everyone in the car, not just the driver, must wear a seat belt.
    Including rear-seat passengers.
  • True — A child under 6 must be carried in a child seat.
    Compulsory under the age of 6.
  • False — You may hold a mobile phone and talk while driving.
    Using a phone while driving is banned, with heavy penalties.
  • True — A helmet must be worn when riding any motorcycle or moped.
    Compulsory for all two-wheelers including 50cc mopeds.

Parking & stopping

  • True — You may not park or stop within 5 m of a junction or its corner.
    Both parking and stopping are banned there.
  • True — You may not park or stop within 5 m before or after a pedestrian crossing.
    Both sides, not just the approach.